Virginia Senate Bill SB414

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Tire stewardship program; established, report.

Impact

The bill introduces significant changes to Virginia's environmental regulation by creating a structured method for handling tires that are often improperly disposed of. By requiring tire producers to participate in a stewardship program, SB414 intends to set performance goals for collection and recycling and provide a systematic approach to tire management, reducing the accumulation of waste tires and promoting beneficial recycling practices. This will likely lead to improved public health standards and reduction in pollution linked with improper tire disposal.

Summary

Senate Bill 414, known as the Tire Stewardship Program, establishes a statewide framework for managing discarded tires in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The legislation mandates that tire producers and retailers join designated tire stewardship organizations to create a comprehensive tire collection and recycling initiative. This program aims to promote effective tire recycling practices, ensure equitable public access to tire disposal, and minimize environmental hazards posed by discarded tires. Participating organizations will be responsible for submitting annual performance reports, which assess the effectiveness of their recycling efforts and public education initiatives.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB414 include concerns regarding the financial implications for tire producers, particularly how the costs of participating in the stewardship program will be managed. Critics argue that the financial burden on producers could lead to higher prices for consumers or result in some businesses opting out altogether. Additionally, there are questions about the accountability measures for tire stewardship organizations and how effectively the program will be enforced by the Department of Environmental Quality.

Voting_history

SB414 was passed by the Senate with a vote of 9 in favor and 6 against during the committee session on February 6, 2024. The voting history reflects a divided opinion on the viability and necessity of implementing a statewide tire stewardship initiative, illustrating the complexities and varying perspectives regarding waste management regulations.